Melanie Stansbury

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Melanie Stansbury's voice
Melanie Stansbury speaks on the benefits of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Recorded January 20, 2022
Melanie Stansbury
Melanie Stansbury 117th Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from New Mexico's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 14, 2021

Melanie Ann Stansbury (born January 31, 1979) [1] [2] is an American politician and former ecology instructor serving as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district since 2021. [3] The district includes the majority of Albuquerque and most of its suburbs. A Democrat, Stansbury previously served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 28th district from 2019 to 2021. [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Stansbury was born in Farmington, New Mexico, and raised in Albuquerque. [5] After graduating from Cibola High School in 1997, [6] she earned a bachelor of arts in human ecology and natural science from Saint Mary's College of California in 2002. [7] [8] She then earned a master of science in development sociology with a minor in American Indian studies from Cornell University in 2007, [9] [7] where she was a PhD candidate. [10] [11]

Early career

Stansbury began her career as an ecology instructor at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. As a White House Fellow, she worked as a policy advisor on the Council on Environmental Quality. She was a consultant at Sandia National Laboratories and later served as a program examiner in the Office of Management and Budget during the Obama administration. She worked on the staff of the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and as an aide to Senator Maria Cantwell. [12] Since 2017, she has worked as a consultant and senior advisor at the Utton Transboundary Resources Center of the University of New Mexico. [9]

New Mexico House of Representatives

Stansbury and U.S. Representative Deb Haaland speak about the Green New Deal in 2019

Stansbury ran unopposed in the 2018 Democratic primary for the 28th district of the New Mexico House of Representatives. In the general election, she defeated Republican incumbent Jimmie C. Hall, who had held the seat for seven terms. [13] [14]

Stansbury was again unopposed in the 2020 primary. She defeated Republican Thomas R. Stull and Libertarian Robert Vaillancourt in the general election. [13]

In the House, Stansbury introduced legislation to improve the energy conservation and water resource management of the state of New Mexico. [15] [16] She served as the vice chair of the Energy, Environment, & Natural Resources Committee. [17]

Upon Stansbury's 2021 resignation from the state legislature in order to run to represent New Mexico in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Bernalillo County Commission appointed Pamelya Herndon as her replacement. [18]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2021 special

After Joe Biden announced Deb Haaland as his nominee for United States secretary of the interior, Stansbury announced her campaign for the special election to fill the seat. [19] In the first round of voting by the state Democratic committee, Stansbury placed second after state Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and automatically advanced to the runoff. [20] [21] In the second round of voting, she defeated Sedillo Lopez by six votes. [22] As no Republican had represented the district since 2009, The Santa Fe New Mexican labeled her "a heavy favorite". [23]

She defeated state Senator Mark Moores and former state Lands Commissioner Aubrey Dunn Jr. in the June 1 election in a landslide. [24] Her margin of victory was slightly larger than President Biden's 23-point victory in the district in 2020, and significantly larger than Deb Haaland's in 2020 for the House. [25]

Tenure

On August 12, 2022, Stansbury voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. [26]

According to a FiveThirtyEight analysis, during the 117th Congress, she voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time. [27]

Once President Donald Trump entered the House chamber for the 2025 Joint Session of Congress, Stansbury held a sign that said "this is not normal" to protest the mass firing of federal workers. [28] [29]

Committee assignments

For the 119th Congress: [30]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

In a questionnaire created by the Adelante Progressive Caucus, Stansbury pledged support for Medicare for All legislation, a federal assault weapons ban, the D.C. statehood movement, canceling student loan debt, federal marijuana legalization, [9] and several other progressive policies. [34] She was endorsed by abortion rights group Voteprochoice. [35]

On March 1, 2025 Stansbury participated in the discussion at the “Know The Assignment” webinar held by WomenForward. [36]

Personal life

Stansbury lives in Albuquerque. [9]

Electoral history

YearOffice [37] [38] [39] PartyVotes for Stansbury%OpponentPartyVotes%
2018 New Mexico House of Representatives Green check.svg Democratic7,33553.7 Jimmie C. Hall (inc.)Republican6,32646.3
2020 Green check.svg Democratic8,90852.6Thomas R. Stull [a] Republican7,25242.8
2021 U.S. House of Representatives Green check.svg Democratic79,83760.4 Mark Moores [b] Republican47,11135.6
2022 Green check.svg Democratic156,46255.7Michelle Garcia HolmesRepublican124,15144.2
2024 Green check.svg Democratic193,20356.4Steve JonesRepublican149,54643.6

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Libertarian Robert Vaillancourt received 780 votes (4.6%). [37]
  2. ↑ Independent Aubrey Dunn Jr. received 3,534 votes (2.7%) and Libertarian Chris Manning received 1,734 (1.3%). [40]

References

  1. ↑ Kassel, Matthew (March 16, 2021). "Haaland confirmation sets off mad scramble to claim her seat in Congress". Jewish Insider. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  2. ↑ Stansbury, Melanie [@MelanieforNM] (January 31, 2021). "Join us in wishing Melanie a very happy birthday!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 1, 2021– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ Greenwood, Max (June 1, 2021). "Democrat Stansbury wins special election for Haaland's House seat". The Hill . Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Legislator - New Mexico Legislature". www.nmlegis.gov. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  5. ↑ March, August (September 12, 2018). "News Interview: Setting a Course". Alibi. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  6. ↑ Boetel, Ryan (May 1, 2021). "Hard work, environmental advocacy shaped Stansbury". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Meet Melanie". Melanie for New Mexico. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Notable Alumni". Saint Mary's College of California. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Q&A: House District 28 Candidate Melanie Ann Stansbury". www.abqjournal.com. September 23, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Melanie Stansbury's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  11. ↑ Elliott, Christian (December 11, 2018). "From Development Sociology to the State Legislature – Alumna Melanie Stansbury wins big in New Mexico". Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  12. ↑ Akin, Stephanie (March 31, 2021). "Ex-Senate aide narrowly wins Democratic nod for Haaland seat in New Mexico". Roll Call. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  13. 1 2 "New Mexico House of Representatives District 28". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  14. ↑ Boyd, Dan (October 16, 2018). "House District 28 incumbent faces stiff challenge". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  15. ↑ Clark, Carol A. (February 20, 2019). "Rep. Stansbury Announces Critical Water Legislation". Los Alamos Daily Post. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Gov. Lujan Grisham, Rep. Stansbury announce climate and sustainability legislation bolstering plans laid out in executive order". The Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. February 16, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Melanie Ann Stansbury". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Pamelya Herndon appointed to NM House seat vacated by Rep. Melanie Stansbury". KOB 4. June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  19. ↑ Simonich, Milan (January 23, 2021). "An early contender emerges for Haaland's seat". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  20. ↑ "DPNM Announces Runoff in SCC Vote to Determine Democratic Nominee in CD-1". New Mexico Democrats. March 31, 2021.
  21. ↑ Mullan, Dillon (March 31, 2021). "Stansbury, Sedillo Lopez in runoff for Democratic nomination". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  22. ↑ Boetel, Ryan (March 31, 2021). "Stansbury chosen as Democratic nominee for special election". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  23. ↑ Simonich, Milan (April 2, 2021). "What a rally: Inside Stansbury's improbable victory". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Rep. Melanie Stansbury wins Democratic nomination for CD1 seat". KRQE News 13 Albuquerque - Santa Fe. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  25. ↑ Cohen, Ethan; Janfaza, Rachel; Bradner, Eric (June 2, 2021). "Democrat Melanie Stansbury wins New Mexico special election for US House seat, CNN projects". CNN. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  26. ↑ "U.S. House passes Inflation Reduction Act". KOAT. August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  27. ↑ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Rep. Melanie Stansbury's sign sparks viral moment". March 5, 2025.
  29. ↑ "'This is Not Normal' Rep. Stansbury Speaks up Against Trump, DOGE | Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury | Representing New Mexico's First Congressional District". March 5, 2025.
  30. ↑ "List of Standing Committees and Select Committees of the House of Representatives" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  31. ↑ "About the CEC". CEC. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Strengthening Conservation Advocacy: Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus Expansion & Reconstitution". National Wildlife Refuge Association. December 15, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Rare Disease Congressional Caucus". Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Candidate Response Melanie Stansbury". Adelante Progressive Caucus. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Meet Our 2021 Candidates". #VOTEPROCHOICE. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  36. ↑ Weekend Roundup: Economic Blackout, Know the Assignment Call, and more! , Action Center, WomenForward, March 2, 2025 with link to video of the 20250301 discussion
  37. 1 2 "New Mexico House of Representatives District 28". Ballotpedia . Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  38. ↑ "New Mexico election results". New Mexico Secretary of State. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  39. ↑ "2024 General Election Candidate Summary Results Report" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Mexico . November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  40. ↑ Wilham, T. J. (May 10, 2021). "Stansbury attacked from all sides in special election debate". KOAT-TV Albuquerque. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
New Mexico House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
from the 28th district
2019–2021		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 1st congressional district
2021–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
288th		Succeeded by
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